Perfectly Juicy Grilled Steak
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Perfectly Juicy Grilled Steak gets marinaded in the best flavor and grilled to juicy perfection! Learn all of the tips and tricks to grill the BEST steak every single time!
We love a thick, tender steak in our home! Lemon Garlic Flank Steak, Skillet Garlic Butter Herb Steak and Potatoes, and Steak Foil Packets are a few of our favorite steak recipes we enjoy as a family.
How Long To Grill Steak:
The question everyone wants to know. The answer depends on the temperature of your grill, the thickness of the steak, the temperature of the steak when you put it on the grill, the fat content of the steak, etc.
General, youre aiming for 2 to 3 minutes per side over a super hot flame , then typically a little longer over indirect heat.
In other words, youll sear the steak on both sides until it has a great deal of color, then move it away from the flame on a cooler part of the grill to continue cooking until it reaches your desired level of done-ness.
How To Season Steak:
Sea salt, garlic powder, black pepper. These three all-star ingredients are all you need to make a winning steak every time!
Nothing fancy or complicated.
Sometimes Ill throw in a little paprika when Im feeling wild.
You can easily use your favorite steak rub, but I find salt, garlic powder and black pepper go a long way in generating the most enticing flavor.
If you love big bold flavors, use my Best Steak Marinade recipe and marinate the steak instead of dry brining it!
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Gas Vs Charcoal Grills
Most people will tell you that charcoal or wood-fire grills are preferable for grilling steaks because they bring that smokey, charred flavor. If you are using a charcoal grill, skip the charcoal briquettes and lighter fluid, as these can add a kerosene flavor to your steak. Instead, opt for wood or natural, hardwood lump charcoal .
But don’t fret if you have a gas grill. The heat is ultimately more important than how you get it. You can still achieve great results with a gas grill. And gas grills allow for greater precision and control over the heat, which is definitely a plus for the amateur and the grill-master alike.
What Are The Best Types Of Steaks For Grilling
Out of all proteins, steak is particularly well-suited to the grill. The high heat delivers a gorgeous sear, caramelizing the exterior and quickly heating the interior. That said, each kind of steak requires a slightly different method.
This particular recipe works best with boneless strip steaks that are at least 1 inch thick, but 1 1/2 inches is even better. Strip steaks are a great starter steak because they are well-marbled, meaning theyll cook up juicy every time, but not be full of fat that you have to worry about flare-ups. Plus, theres no bone to work around.
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Best Steak Marinade For Grilling
In this particular grilled steak recipe, were using our favorite grilled steak marinade. Its made with some of our favorite ingredients. Heres what you need:
- garlic: minced garlic is such an amazing flavor for pretty much any marinade.
- Worcestershire sauce: Worcestershire sauce is tangy with a punch of vinegar and its so necessary.
- balsamic vinegar: balsamic adds a hint of sweetness with too much sweet.
- lemon juice: a little citrus goes a long way and really brightens up this steak marinade.
- olive oil: olive oil will help keep things nice and juicy.
- lemon pepper: I love that you get the traditional pepper flavor, but also a lemon zest punch with lemon pepper.
How To Know When Steak Is Done
The time needed to cook a steak varies depending on its thickness, and how you like it. Dont be tempted to cut into a steak to see if its done. This allows the precious juices to escape, making the meat tough. Instead, press the centre of the steak with the back of your tongs if its medium the meat will spring back. Use this guide for cooking times and to tell when its ready.
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How To Grill Steak Perfectly:
First you are going to want to pick your cut of meat. Now, everyone loves a good filet mignon, I am not exception. The other go-to is a New York Strip classic. But, my absolute favorite is a ribeye. There is just enough fat marbled through it that it marinates itself as it cooks and stays incredibly moist and tender. The flavor is amazing. It is my go-to. Go grab a 1 inch ribeye for you and whoever else you are having over..
But Filet Mignon is hard to beat!
Next, after you go out and grab your cut of meat, you are going to want to let it come to room temp before you season your meat. Just salt and pepper people. You dont need to reinvent the wheel. But first, take a fork and pierce the meat all over fat and everything. Then sprinkle with salt and ground black pepper on both sides enough that it will be nicely seasoned, but not over-powered with either.
You can also if you want always fun to mix things up!
After you have cleaned your grill thoroughly with your brush, spray it with a grill-worthy non-stick spray and then turn it up to 450-500.
Place steak over direct heat to sear let it stay over direct heat for 3-4 minutes. Flip and sear an additional 3-4 minutes on the other side. If you are cooking a fattier meat, like a ribeye, you will probably want to move the steak over to indirect heat at this time. Leaner meats, like a New York Strip or Filet should be left over direct heat the entire time.
Grilling The Perfect Steak Recipe Tips
- Let the steaks come to room temperature first. This takes about 30 minutes and ensures they will cook evenly.
- Really pat down your ribeye steak rub! Patting down the seasoning gives the meat a perfect crust on the grill.
- Allow the steaks to rest before cutting into them – at least 10 minutes.
- Always slice steak against the grain.
- Use a meat thermometer for best results when checking for your desired degree of doneness.
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When In Doubt Oversalt
When youre grilling steak, its not the time to be shy about overseasoning! Its always best to use sea salt or kosher salt, and then some pepper if youd like.
When adding pepper, add about the same amount as you did for the salt.
And once again, when you think its enough the first time, its PROBABLY NOT. So add a little bit more!
Salting Early Pays Off
You might have heard the warning that you shouldnt salt meat too far in advance of cooking because it can draw out moisture. Its true that salt draws moisture towards itself, but over the course of 20 to 30 minutes thats a good thing, because the salt begins to dissolve into that little bit of moisture.
When the steak hits the hot cooking grate, the sugars and proteins in the moisture combine with the salt and other seasonings to create a delicious crust. Any moisture you might lose is well worth the flavor of that crust.
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Fourth Position And Testing For Doneness
As you prepare to turn the steak for the last time, it’s time to start checking for doneness. The steak should show no red around the side and the top side should have a rich brown color. As you pick the steak up to rotate it 45 degrees , feel the density of the steak. A medium-rare steak should be firm but still have a good amount of give. Close the lid of the barbecue and continue grilling.
After this last position, turn down the heat on your grill and, if needed, test the temperature of the steak. The internal temperatures for different levels of doneness are:
- Rare: 120 to 130 F
- Medium Rare: 130 to 135 F
- Medium: 140 to 150 F
- Medium Well: 155 to 165 F
- Well: 170 F or higher
If your steak needs more cook time, leave it where it is and continue grilling on medium heat until done.
How To Cook Steak On Grill
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What To Do With Leftover Steak
Got leftover steak? Dont waste it! Here are a few ideas to repurpose it:
Salad: make our Butter Lettuce Salad and top it with sliced grilled steak. Or, make our Steak Salad Recipe with tons of veggie and an herby vinaigrette.
Nachos: make a big sheet pan of nachos and instead of using ground beef, use sliced steak instead.
Bowls: Make our beef taco bowls, but use diced steak instead of ground beef.
Mac and Steak: Make a box of mac and cheese and serve it with sliced grilled steak.
How Long Should I Cook My Steak On The Grill For Optimal Results
The cooking time for steak depends on its thickness. It should be grilled for three to seven minutes on each side. For a medium-rare steak, it should take five to eight minutes. Flip the steak only once during the cooking process, and continue to monitor the temperature to avoid overcooking. Then, remove the steak from the grill and let it rest at room temperature for about ten minutes before cutting it into slices.
The temperature of the steak determines whether it is cooked or raw. The temperature of a steak is affected by the length and thickness of the steak. As a rule of thumb, a medium rare steak should be a medium-rare-rare or even-rare. To determine how long to cook a steak, use a meat thermometer. You should check the internal temperature of your steak with a probe or a thermister. It should be 120-125 degrees. Once the steak is done, it should be rested for five to ten minutes. This helps to keep the flavorful juices inside the steak.
Before grilling your steak, it is important to prepare the meat. Preparation is crucial. Season the steak well and store it in the refrigerator for at least an hour. Make sure to salt it immediately before cooking, or an hour before, if possible. This will prevent the meat from absorbing moisture. Then, pat the steak dry using paper towel and allow it to rest for at least ten minutes.
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How To Cook Top Sirloin Steak On The Grill
- Be sure your steak is completely thawed.
- Bring the meat to room temperature. Remove your steak from the refrigerator 30-40 minutes before grilling.
- Season steaks as desired we recommend Kansas City Steak Original Steak Seasoning.
- To cook on a charcoal grill, place steaks over the hottest part of the grill, and sear both sides for 1-2 minutes. Then move to medium, ash-covered coals and continue to grill for the times listed in the chart below. Turn about 1 minute prior to the halfway point.
- To cook on a gas grill, preheat on high. Sear both sides for 1-2 minutes, then reduce to medium heat and continue to grill for the times listed in the chart below. Turn about 1 minute prior to the halfway point.
- For the perfect medium-rare top sirloin steak, grill for 9-12 minutes for a 1-inch steak, and 12-15 minutes for a 1½ inch steak, turning about 1 minute before the halfway point. A meat thermometer should read 130°F.
- Rest your steaks for 5 minutes before serving, covering lightly with foil. The temperature of the meat will continue to rise about 5°F during this time . The final temperature will read 135°F.
- Resting steak is also important because the heat of cooking pulls the juices in the meat toward the surface if you slice into it immediately after cooking, those flavorful juices will end up on your plate, not in your steak. Allowing your steak to rest will give the juices time to sink back in and throughout the meat, keeping it moist and flavorful.
The Six Inexpensive Steaks You Should Know
These are the steaks that butchers and chefs love to use because not only are they more inexpensive, but they’ve got character. Many of them are whole muscles that must be trimmed by the butcher just-so if you want them to be tender and large enough to cook as steaks. There are also not many of them on a steer. For every 20 pounds of ribeyes and T-bones you can get off a steer, you get two hanger steaks. That ain’t much.
These butcher’s cuts tend to be more packed with flavor because of the work they do, yet because they’re not as marketable to the general public and require a bit more skill to cook and serve correctly, they remain much cheaper than their mainstream counterparts. This is good news for you if you want to maximize your flavor and your dollar.
The Hanger
Also Sold As: Butcher’s steak, hangar , arrachera , fajitas arracheras , bistro steak, onglet .
Where It’s Cut From: From the plate section of the cow , it “hangs” off of the cow’s diaphragm, hence the name. U.S. meat-cutting classification of NAMP 140.
The Skirt
Also Sold As: Fajita meat, Roumanian Strip .
Where It’s Cut From: The outside skirt is the diaphragm muscle of the cow, cut from the plate. It is the traditional cut for fajitas, and is generally sold to restaurants. Inside skirt is part of the flank, and is the more widely available form of skirt.
The Short Rib
Also Sold As:Kalbi , Jacob’s Ladder , asado de tira
The Flap
The Flank Steak
The Tri-Tip
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Grill Temp For Steak:
For the best results, preheat your grill to 500 degrees F if you use a gas grill. If youre using a charcoal grill, be sure the coals are much lighter in color before you start grilling.
The best way of achieving the perfect cook on a steak is to use a meat thermometer.
Because we grill at such a high temperature, it is best to use a Wireless Meat Thermometer once the steak has a nice sear on both sides.
This way, you dont ruin a thermometer , and you have an accurate read on your steak without having to constantly check it or lift up the grill lid.
Final Temperatures for Cooking Steak:
- Rare: 115-120 degrees F
- Medium Rare: 125-130 degrees F
- Medium: 135-140 degrees F
- Medium Well: 145-150 degrees F
- Well Done: 150-155 degrees F
The Best Cuts For Grilling
First, let’s talk beef: rib-eye, strip and tenderloin are all great cuts for the grill. If you choose bone-in steaks, keep in mind that they take longer to cook. Look for good marbling to guarantee a juicy and tender cut. And ideally, steaks should be at 1 1/2 to 2 inches thick to form a nice charred crust without overcooking.
Flank, skirt and hanger steaks are also great on the grill. These thinner cuts are best marinated, grilled quickly over high heat and sliced against the grain to serve.
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Ribeye Steak In The Oven
If you love our grilled ribeye steak recipe, you will love it in the oven, too! Follow our instructions for seasoning the beef and for topping with garlic butter, then use our Reverse Sear Ribeye Steak recipe as a guide for how to cook steak in the oven.
My new favorite beefy obsession is birria! You haven’t lived until you try this amazing Mexican Beef Stew!
Choose Your Steak Of Choice
Thick cut steaks consist of:
- Ribeye: This steak is. well marbled and full of flavor. It comes from the middle of the cow in the ribs section. It has high fat content which gives it extra flavor. You will need to trim the fat to avoid flare-ups.
- Strip Steak: Also known as New York Strip Steak, it is tender and a little chewy coming from the rear of the cow. This is my steak of choice and easy to grill with no potential flare-ups.
- T-Bone: Shaped like a T, it brings together two steaks. The tenderloin and a chewier strip steak.
Thin Cut Steaks Consist of:
- Flank Steak: This steak comes from the belly of the cow and is rich in flavor. Always serve the flank steak sliced and cut against the grain.
- Hanger Steak: This comes from the belly of the cow, the part of the cow that hangs down. It has a strong beefy flavor and is great for marinating.
- Skirt Steak: The skirt comes from the diaphragm of the cow. It is a thin cut with plenty of fat and works well with a high heat searing. Should. also be sliced against the grain.
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